The Chapel Grove Elementary teacher was named Gaston County’s “Rubber Meets the Road” award winner for being a teacher who went above and beyond in the classroom but drove a car that wouldn’t earn straight A’s.

Baker turned over the keys to Clark Tire and Auto Monday knowing that the local business would be making some changes.

She received her car back Wednesday and now owns a car that would receive a passing grade after receiving bumper to bumper repairs.

Baker’s blue Contour received new tires and rims as well as a complete tune up with a bevy of repairs including new brakes, battery, an oil change, power steering flush, coolant flush and fuel system flush. Two windows that wouldn’t roll up or down now work. She can tune into her favorite station with a new radio and listen to music through new speakers.

“It doesn’t rattle when you start it anymore,” Baker said after starting the engine. “Thank you so, so, so much.”

The “Rubber Meets the Road” award couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Clark team discovered that some parts on the timing belt were about to fall off as they were doing an engine tune up.

“If that would have failed, it would have blown her engine,” Mobley said. “We’re talking a couple of miles.”

Clark Tire and Auto has been giving a “Rubber Meets the Road” award for several years, Mobley said. The company gives out awards in five counties and will expand to two more counties next year, Mobley said.

Chapel Grove Elementary School Principal Roxann Jamison nominated Baker because of her work inside and outside of the classroom.

Baker attended Chapel Grove Elementary growing up. She has been teaching kindergarten there for three years and has been at Chapel Grove for seven of her 10 years of teaching. Baker is a teacher leader, Jamison said. She’s the chairwoman of the school improvement team and led the student services management team.

“She’s known for teacher leadership roles,” Jamison said. “She has the type of personality that really promotes a lot of positive working relationships. People tend to really respect and feel motivated around Sara.”

Baker was chosen as Chapel Grove’s Teacher of the Year for this school year. She’s also a teacher who needed some automobile service help.

Clark Tire and Auto partnered with NAPA, American Tire Distributors, Firestone Detailing and Mighty Auto Parts to revive Baker’s vehicle, setting Melita Bates’ mind at ease. Bates is Baker’s mother and had been worrying about her daughter driving the car she bought in college.

“Now I don’t have to be afraid for my baby to ride in her car anymore,” Bates said. “The Christmas star was shining right on her. This is Christmas in action.”

You can reach reporter Amanda Memrick at 704-869-1839 or follow @AmandaMemrick on Twitter.